tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263920188140464269.post8466057528350547398..comments2024-03-11T17:51:57.371-07:00Comments on Practical Bioethics: No Incentives for Docs to Talk about End of LifePractical Bioethicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17111101925898726995noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2263920188140464269.post-112540594023607462010-01-13T07:58:52.397-08:002010-01-13T07:58:52.397-08:00I am somewhat concerned by the phrase "doctor...I am somewhat concerned by the phrase "doctors and patients can abandon magical thinking and address advanced disease more honestly." <br /><br />There is a spiritual and theological dimension in end of life decisions which is not at all "magical" to believers, and trying to deal with end of life matters on a purely secular basis is not helpful or appreciated by patients who are committed to their faith in things which are unseen yet objectively realities, and are unshakable in their belief that actions in this life have consequences in eternity.<br /><br />In my experience as a health care provided (a D.D.S. with two hospital based residencies) in a family which includes four physicians - all specialists, it seems that physicians are ill equipped indeed to deal with the spiritual dimensions of end of life care. <br /><br />That sort of thing is not touched upon in their training. One relative, an Emergency Medicine specialist and Trauma Surgeon once told me that when that sort of thing comes into play, she just calls a chaplain. That is appropriate. <br /><br />There are spiritual, religious, and ethical issues related to religion that come into play in end-of-life counseling that make it unwise to approach that kind of counseling except in a multidisciplinary approach which includes heal care providers and clergy.<br /><br />Yours in the fellowship of Our Lady, the Mother of the Church, Most Rev. Irl A. Gladfelter, C.S.P., (D.D.S.,) M.Div., S.T.M., D.D.<br />Metropolitan of the Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church St. Michael's House 1200 N.E. Terrace Kansas City, MO 64118-1361<br />Chancery: (816) 468-9691<br />E-mail: ALCClutherans@kc.rr.comPractical Bioethicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17111101925898726995noreply@blogger.com